TIME is running out in the battle to refurbish the old St Annes Community Arts Centre and save it from being turned into a block of plush apartments

The St Annes Community Arts Centre Trust has plans to turn the listed part of the building into a modern arts centre, containing arts studios, an art gallery, an IT suite, cafe bar and 100-seater theatre.

But they only have until the end of May this year to find the money because developers Newfield Jones are keen to begin work on new apartments.

Chairman of the trust, David Selby, explained that part of the centre was built in 1906 and was given listed status in January this year.

He said: "Newfield Jones want to convert the older part of the building, between the original college and the Grand Hotel, into 21 apartments. They also want to knock down the newer part and build 47 apartments, but they have said if we can find the money to buy the old part they will only build the 47 flats."

In 1996 Fylde Borough Council allocated £400,000 to the regeneration of St Annes and it was hoped this could be used for a new centre, but in the end it went to the makeover of the Square.

At that time the college was still in use, but Blackpool and the Fylde College -- which owns the building -- has now agreed to sell it to Newfield Jones for development. Mr Selby said the feasibility study showed massive public support for the arts centre from community groups, including the Lytham St Annes Photographic Society and Fylde District Youth and Community Service.

He said: "Newfield Jones has said it will sell the listed part on to us for £321,000, and knock off £65,000 as a gesture of goodwill, but this is only if we can get the money before the end of May. The arts centre could cost around £1.5 million pounds altogether. We hope the council might give us some money and we have put in a bid to the North West Arts Board for £500,000 and another to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the same amount, but these things take so long we are not sure if we will get the money on time."

He said that, ideally, Fylde Borough Council would defer planning permission to demolish the listed part and build on it, buying them some time.

But Dave Wilkinson from Fylde Borough Council planning department said this is unlikely: "Any agreement on deadline is purely between Newfield Jones and the Trust. We have a statutory requirement to decide on planning applications within eight weeks, and if we don't the applicant can appeal to the Secretary of State who would then make the decision."